The organisation responsible for bringing business to the town centre has issued a statement on the Debenhams closure. 

InSwindon BID said it is sorry to see the store leave the Swindon high street and hopes staff will be able to find employment again soon.

Mark Rogers, inSwindon BID interim BID manager said: “With the current climate we find ourselves in it is a challenging time for all our retailers on the high street.

"After falling into administration last year, it has been more challenging for Debenhams to survive through the current social distancing lockdown.

"We are sorry to lose one of our key anchor stores, as Debenhams is one the largest traditional department store chains in the UK and has played a part in many of our town centre initiatives.

"Our thoughts are with all the staff who now find themselves out of work and we hope that once the town centre re-opens there will be new job opportunities for them.

"We will keep the Swindon town centre website updated with any vacancies that come through.”